11 Effective Knee Pain Treatments to Try For Your Knee Injury

Whether you are looking for at-home natural remedies or specialized medical attention, there are plenty of ways to effectively and safely treat a knee that was recently injured or is just experiencing some mysterious pain. The easiest and quickest way to treat knee pain is by properly diagnosing the cause of the pain and sometimes this will require professional medical attention. Whatever the cause of your knee pain is, it is wise to review the different treatments available to you and consult with a medical professional about the best option for your unique case. In this post, discover 11 of the most effective knee pain treatments, some of which you can try on your own and others that require some medical assistance.

Apple Cider Vinegar: This all-natural remedy is great for joint pain because the liquid contains an alkalizing effect that eliminates detrimental toxins and dissolves the buildup of minerals in the joints. There are three different ways you can use apple cider vinegar: drinking it, bathing in it, and massaging the sore area. If you plan to drink apple cider vinegar throughout the day to let it do its work internally, mix two teaspoons of it into two cups of either hot or cold water. Secondly, you can draw a bath and add two cups of apple cider vinegar. And lastly, if you want to massage the area, mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with one tablespoon of olive oil and apply the mixture.

Cold Compress: This is generally this simplest and most commonly used form of treatment for knee pain. If you are suffering from inflammation due to standing too long, walking incorrectly, or overdoing it at the gym, keep the knee up and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain. What happens when you place a cold compress on the injured area is that the cold constricts the blood vessels and reduces the flow of blood to the knee. This will reduce the inflammation as well as offer relief from the pain. Use either a cold towel with several ice cubes or a packet of peas and place it on the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes. For anyone who suffers from chronic knee pain, you can alternate between hot and cold compresses.

Epsom Salt Bath: This is another fairly common remedy used for knee pain and other kinds of joint pain. Draw yourself a warm bath and add one-half cup of Epsom salt. Soak the affected area in the hot bath for at least 15 minutes. You can repeat this as many times as you need to throughout the week.

Eucalyptus Oil: Unlike Epsom salt baths and cold compresses, this kind of knee pain treatment is slightly less conventional. Some people who suffer from arthritis find that eucalyptus oil has been tremendously helpful in alleviating the pain from their condition. This oil has a cooling effect on the area and contains pain-relieving properties. Some research has indicated that even just sniffing the oil offers pain relief. In order to properly use the eucalyptus oil, mix in five to seven drops of it into two tablespoons of olive oil. You could also add five to seven drops of peppermint oil into the mixture. Use this mixture whenever you are experiencing knee pain and keep the oil stored out of sunlight.

Preventative Measures: Sometimes, the most effective treatment for knee pain is taking steps to eliminate it permanently with lifestyle changes. If you smoke, try quitting as smoking slows the healing process. If you need to lose weight, work toward that goal. Also, make sure you are not wearing uncomfortable shoes that offer little or no support.

Hydrate And Exercise: Most adults do not drink the amount of water they should be drinking on a daily basis. Obviously, this causes a tremendous number of immediate and long-term health problems. Make sure you are drinking water regularly to keep the cartilage in your knee soft and stay properly hydrated. Additionally, so long as you can move about safely without being overly strenuous on your knee, take a brisk 15 minute walk every morning. You can also try a variety of different light exercises, yoga poses, and gentle stretches to help ease the pain and build up your knee strength. When you are not moving around, keep the knee elevated. You can also go about your day with a knee brace or compress to keep swelling down.

Ginger: When most people hear “ginger” they might think of it as a great natural remedy for nausea. However, ginger can do much more than just ease an upset stomach. Ginger is an excellent natural resource to both reduce swelling and offer pain relief. You can either drink a ginger concoction, apply a ginger mixture on the affected, or try both treatments. Strain crushed, fresh ginger into one cup of boiled water. Mix the water and ginger with the juice of a lemon and a little honey. Drink this concoction two to three times daily until you begin to feel relief. Also, you can rub ginger oil into the knee a few times throughout the day.

Rest: Sometimes the only thing required to effectively treat knee pain is doing nothing at all. If the pain is caused by a sports injury or an old injury from long ago, stay off your feet as often as possible when you begin to feel pain. Skip the rigorous workout at the gym for as many days as needed, keep walking around to a minimum, and prop your leg up as often as you can. You can also ice your knee or use a heating pad while elevating your leg and take the recommended amount of pain reliever medication when needed.

Surgery: In severe cases of knee pain caused by a serious injury, surgery may be the form of treatment that is needed. Obviously, the only way surgery would be the treatment used is if it was ordered by a medical professional. If you are suffering from a severe knee injury or serious chronic knee pain, schedule an appointment with a knee specialist to evaluate your options and determine whether or not surgery will be necessary.

A Knee Brace: Other cases of knee pain require certain medical attention, but nothing as serious as surgery. After consulting with a knee specialist, you might need to wear a knee brace over for several weeks or months or during certain parts of the day. The best way to know whether you will need a brace to properly treat your knee condition is by scheduling an appointment with a medical professional. During the appointment, you will learn everything you need to know about your condition, what a brace will do, and how often or for what duration you will need it.

Physical Therapy: Some people need extensive treatment such as surgery, a brace, and physical therapy. Others may just need a brace or physical therapy. If you are in the process of healing from a knee injury, your doctor may recommend several weeks or months of regular physical therapy to strengthen the injured area and make sure a repeat injury does not occur.